Yamaha installed from factory a speedometer that is blatantly unreadable during daytime hours. The speedometer is simply too dim to contrast with the sun and poses a hazard when trying to read your current speed. As this bike is a daily driver for myself, I'm needing to look to the aftermarket to keep myself and others safe. Yamaha knows this is an issue given the 2015 model's new version. All 2014 bolts continue to suffer from this issue.
Vehicle safety record
2014 Yamaha XVS950 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 10 complaints about the 2014 Yamaha XVS950 with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (4) and the acceleration & cruise control (3). There are no recalls for it.
NHTSA data checked
- Complaints
- 10
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2014 Yamaha XVS950 problems
Share of all 10 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
No recalls for the 2014 Yamaha XVS950
What owners say
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
10 complaints about the 2014 Yamaha XVS950
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 yamaha xvs950. While driving 40-45 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the transmission was destroyed due to a design flaw. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 15,000. The vin was invalid. *Bf*jb consumer stated transmission failed suddenly, completely.*Jb
My concern is the death wobble the bike has when at speeds around 45 mph.
The speedometer on my 2014 yamaha bolt motorcycle is almost indecipherable. It is difficult to see at night and totally washes out during the daytime. The engineers covered a low contrast black and gray digital display with a dark tint. This was an unnecessary addition and contributes to creating a dangerous situation for riders.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 yamaha xvs950. While driving approximately 40 mph, a loud grinding noise was heard near the rear of the motorcycle. The contact pulled over and inspected the motorcycle and found that the drive belt pulley deteriorated on both sides of the motorcycle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was determined that the repairs were not covered. The contact, a certified mechanic, noticed that the drive axle and drive belt pulley needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 13,000. Updated 01/25/17*lj carfax: vin provided has no displayable records. Updated 7/5/18*jb
The glass covering the speedometer is tinted and is so dark that reading the speed or other data is impossible while riding into, or tangentially, to the sun.
When riding into bright sunlight it is not possible to read the speedometer or odometer. *Tr
Speedometer cannot be read in sunlight, it is blacked out. It is dangerous as speed cannot be determined. *Tr
Purchased motorcycle on 12.6.13, On the drive home realized that the speedometer was unreadable. It was daylight, mid-day. Sun was bright. I was unable to read my speed. It's a digital indicator, with smoked lens. When researching reviews, the only complaint registered was the inability to see the speedometer readings. The company has to be aware of this, and should be required to make the necessary recall adjustments. Otherwise, this safety issue might not be corrected. *Tr
When driving during daylight hours the speedometer can become difficult, if not impossible to read. The added effort needed to get a speed reading distracts from operating a 2 wheeled vehicle creating a dangerous situation. *Tr
2014 Yamaha XVS950 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Yamaha XVS950 | 10 | 0 | - | |
| 2014 Yamaha Bolt | 82 | 1 | - | Compare |
| 2014 Yamaha FZ-09 | 12 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 2014 Yamaha XTZ12 | 2 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 2014 Yamaha FJR1300 | 2 | 1 | B | Compare |
| 2014 Yamaha YZF-R6 | 2 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 2014 Yamaha YZF-R1 | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 2014 Yamaha TW200 | 1 | 0 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2014 Yamaha XVS950
Does the 2014 Yamaha XVS950 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2014 Yamaha XVS950 right now. Recalls can be announced at any time, and this page checks NHTSA every day. You can also check your exact vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Yamaha XVS950?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (4), acceleration & cruise control (3), engine & cooling (2).
How many complaints has the 2014 Yamaha XVS950 had?
10 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on October 27, 2013 and the latest on May 11, 2022. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
What should I do if my 2014 Yamaha XVS950 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data